A share in reigning champion sire Zoustar topped the Inglis Digital Australia April (Late) Online Sale April 30, selling for AU$850,000 (US$612,081, AU$1=US$0.72). The share was offered as part of the first Inglis Digital online sale to close out across multiple days. The Zoustar share—offered by Qatar Bloodstock—sold to Richard Pegum's Red and Green Bloodstock.
Pegum purchased group-performed mare Dancing Alone (I Am Invincible) at last year's Inglis Chairman's Sale for AU$875,000 and bought the Zoustar share to gain access to the stallion for last year's acquisition.
"Dancing Alone is a half sister to Growing Empire, so by putting her to Zoustar, she'll be carrying a three-quarter to Growing Empire, which I think would be a pretty handy pregnancy, it makes sense to me,'' Pegum said.
Meanwhile, Thursday's Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale session was topped by Atlantic Emerald—in foal to Shinzo—who sold to Justin Carey for AU$410,000. Carey confirmed Atlantic Emerald was purchased for a client of Coolmore.
"We loved the mating with Shinzo and were all excited by that, so it's nice to see the mare staying on the farm,'' Carey said. "Shinzo is proving to be hugely popular, to the surprise of nobody, and he should have a great week at the foal sale at Riverside next week. At this stage, the plan is for Atlantic Emerald to go back to Shinzo once we foal her down in a few months.''
The sale's second-top lot was the Coolmore-offered Vinicunca—in foal to Switzerland—who sold to Kia Ora in partnership with Encompass International for AU$170,000.
In total, the April (Late) Sale grossed AU$5,243,950 (US$3,776,142), with Thursday's Australian Broodmare Sale session grossing $2,655,000.
